Hong Kong Sanda Fighter Chen Ziqing Stays on Cruise Ship at Nagoya Asian Games, Calls It Brand New Experience
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong's Asian Games delegation held its official flag-raising and welcome ceremony in Nagoya on Wednesday morning, but only one sanda athlete was present among the scattered competitors. Twenty-year-old Chan Chi-ching arrived in Nagoya a day earlier and moved into her assigned accommodation aboard the cruise ship Sarona, a first for the young fighter who has previously only stayed in hotels during competitions. She will compete in the women's 52kg sanda category, with preliminary rounds beginning Sunday and the final scheduled for next Thursday.
Key Points
- Hong Kong's Asian Games delegation held the flag-raising ceremony at the athlete village in Nagoya on the morning of September 17
- Only sanda athlete Chan Chi-ching attended because athletes were dispersed across multiple accommodation zones
- Chan, age 20, checked into the cruise ship Sarona on Wednesday, calling it a completely new experience after previously staying only in hotels during competitions
- She stated the ship was securely anchored and she slept comfortably, with the vessel featuring en-suite bathrooms and a centralized dining hall
- Chan will compete in the women's sanda 52kg category, with competition starting Sunday and the final on September 24
- After the morning ceremony, she visited the competition venue in the afternoon and is scheduled for the official weigh-in on Thursday
Why It Matters
Chan's unique living arrangements underscore the unconventional logistics of these Games, where organizers opted to house athletes in both the Sarona cruise ship and land-based accommodations. For Hong Kong's sanda program, this marks a significant milestone as Chan aims to secure a medal in her Asian Games debut, bringing added attention to a sport that has produced notable results for the city in recent international competitions .
Chan's unique living arrangements underscore the unconventional logistics of these Games, where organizers opted to house athletes in both the Sarona cruise ship and land-based accommodations. For Hong Kong's sanda program, this marks a significant milestone as Chan aims to secure a medal in her Asian Games debut, bringing added attention to a sport that has produced notable results for the city in recent international competitions .